West Mercia Police is the police force in charge of policing the counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire in England. Its area of jurisdiction is considered the fourth largest police area in England and Wales as it covers more than 2000 square miles and has a resident population of more that one million.
West Mercia Police force is divided into five divisions. It covers urban areas such as the widely populated urban area on the edge of Birmingham and Worcester, and also rural areas which have less population than the urban areas.
In 2005 the West Mercia Police force was named the best of the Home Office forces in England and Wales. This distinction was given to the force by the government.
The force was formed in 1967 through the merger of the Worcestershire Constabulary, Herefordshire Constabulary, Shropshire Constabulary and Worcester City Police. It changed its name from West Mercia Constabulary to West Mercia Police on May 2009. West Mercia Police is also a member of the Central Motorway Police Group, along with two other police forces. The West Mercia Police force has its headquarters located at the grounds of Hindlip Hall in the City of Worcester.
In 2006, proposals were made by the Home Secretary for the merger of West Mercia Police with the neighbouring forces Staffordshire Police, Warwickshire Constabulary, and West Midlands. This merger would form a single strategic force for the West Midlands region. This plan was met with opposition especially from the West Mercia Constabulary, as it was previously awarded with the distinction of being the best force in the county. The West Mercia Constabulary wanted to remain a separate force. Because of the opposition coming from different sectors, the plans of merging the neighbouring forces were put on hold and would likely be shelved altogether.
